Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
40.9Performance37.2
54.3Display56.3
44.2Camera72
52.9Battery46.4
94.7Features78.7
8 spec wins — Google Pixel 87 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
InnoReviews verdict
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra wins this phone face-off, 53.9 to 52, pulling ahead mainly in camera (+28) and display (+2). Google Pixel 8 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Google Pixel 8
- Stronger performance score: 41 vs 37
- Stronger battery score: 53 vs 46
- Stronger features score: 95 vs 79
- 75% higher OS update pledge: 7 years vs 4 years
- 33% higher Peak brightness: 2,000 nits vs 1,500 nits
- Lower launch price: $699 vs $1,199
Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Stronger camera score: 72 vs 44
- 400% higher Optical zoom: 10 x vs 2 x
- 281% higher Front camera: 40 MP vs 11 MP
- 116% higher Main camera: 108 MP vs 50 MP
- 50% higher RAM (max): 12 GB vs 8 GB
Display
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2 ″ | 6.8 ″+10% |
| Panel type | OLED (Actua) | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 3200x1440 |
| Pixel density | 428 ppi | 515 ppi+20% |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits+33% | 1,500 nits |
| Screen-to-body | 86.4 % | — |
| AnTuTu 10 (CPU) | — | 263,424Top 88% |
| AnTuTu 10 (GPU) | — | 126,989Top 82% |
| AnTuTu 10 (Memory) | — | 165,563Top 72% |
| AnTuTu 10 (UX) | — | 227,841Top 82% |
Performance
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Samsung Exynos 2100 |
| AnTuTu 10 | 930,000+19%Top 54% | 783,817Top 65% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,720+20%Top 43% | 1,430Top 52% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,350+23%Top 45% | 3,550Top 56% |
| RAM (max) | 8 GB | 12 GB+50% |
| Storage options | 128/256GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Storage type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
Camera
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 108 MP+116% |
| Main aperture | f/1.68 | f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | 2 x | 10 x+400% |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps |
| Front camera | 11 MP | 40 MP+281% |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,575 mAh | 5,000 mAh+9% |
| Wired charging | 27 W+8% | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 18 W+20% | 15 W |
| Active use endurance | 11 h | — |
Design
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 187 g+18% | 228 g |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm | 8.9 mm |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Connectivity
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
Software
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 | Android 11 (One UI 3.1) |
| OS update pledge | 7 years+75% | 4 years |
Audio
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
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